Chuckie's Extreme MASSIVEMeltdown :: Weight Loss Blog

I'm BACK!!!

Hey Folks,

WOW! What a trip I have had. I feel I've been run over by a truck. I'm starting to pick myself up from the ground. Within the past 6 months I have lost both my mother and father. I miss them both like crazy. As most of you know, I was their primary caregiver. I quit my job around Christmas time to spend more time with my dad after my mother passed away. My last 6 months with dad has got to be the most rewarding, yet saddest time of my life. My father's health deterioated daily. The cancer was eating him alive. Witnessing first hand the effects of such a horrid, dreadful disease was quite excruciatingly painful. i've lived through hell. I'm am at peace and know my folks are together again for eternity.

Alot has happened on the health fron as well. As a result of the countless sleepless nights with dad and the stress of being unemployed, about 45lbs has crept back on me. I felt horrible with myself for letting that happen. Sometimes when situations like this get in the way, it's hard to keep with it. I'm suprsed I have not gained any more than that. The good news though is that I've already lost 21 of the 45 pounds I gained within the last 2 weeks. I'm back and at it more than ever.

My parents' passings have inspired me to finish my book and live my life. I will be completing the book, which has been in the works for the past few years, over the next month. I'm looking to have it in stores and available by January 8, 2010 - my old man's birthday. He was so proud of me and made sure he told me that he beleived in me. He beleived that I will be making a difference. I'm up for that challenge!

I've decided to sell our home here in Brooklin and am looking to take a road trip out to Los Angeles. I need some ME time and need to detox my mind. My dad suggested I take a long long trip at the end of our ordeal. I'm looking to travel accross the United States with my final destination being California. I will be staying with friends and getting a ton of "book" stuff and marketing done while I'm there. I'm totally stoked and looking forward to finally being in charge of my life again. It's hard to keep your life in check when you're so busy making sure other's are fine. I have no regrets with the time I spent with my folks. It's been a month since dad has passed away and I'm slowly picking up the peices. Every day is hard and I try my best to not think of the past few months. Sadly, it's the last 2-3 months that are vivid in my mind and I'm trying my utmost best to forget about the suffering he had endured. I can see how many people in my situation can easily fall into a depression. It's hard not to think about negative stuff when things are so fresh in your mind. I have a great circle of friends whom are opening their arms out to me and being there while I gather my stuff. thanks guys!!

I'm looking forward to the next 6 months...I am getting back into shape and will definitely be in tip top form for the launch of my book. I'm coming back full force my friends!!! Look forward to regualr updates - I PROMISEEEEEEE!!!!

In the meantime, I do hope you are all keeping fit and enjoying life. The weather here has been shitty, hopefully we get to see a summer.

Take care all and visit my website to put your name on my book pre-order list!! www.massivemeltdown.com

Hugs and Peace All
Charles

January 10, 2009 - A New Beginning

Good Day Folks,

It's been a while since my last posting. My apologies for neglecting this blog. My world was turned upside down in Novemeber. I'm just coming out of it now. I was scheduled to fly out to LA on November 15 and had everything ready - including my bathing suit. Unfortunatley the day before I was to leave, my father fell and broke his pelvis and hip. He got pretty shaken up and was rushed to the hospital. I postponed my trip to be here for him. He had to stop his chemo treatments in order for the bones to heal. He is still working on it. During the week I was caring for him my mother's health began to rapidly worsen. She had a couple of infected foot ulcers that needed attention. I was at wit's end dealing with the both of them at home. We were urged to admit mom to the hospital, which we did. Her stay lasted 3 weeks. I was by her side always. She became worse as days went by. She had conjestive heart failure, had an infection, was in isolation and the list goes on and on. I wrote a poem with her each and every day to pass time. We bonded and became very close. Something inside of me was telling me something was wrong, but I ignored it. I lived with the hope of bringing mom home and making sure she had the proper care to make that happen. I became very hands on with her and helped her like I would never have imagined. My three weeks with her felt like an eternity. On December 15, 10 days before Christmas, my mother passed away. Her funeral was held a few days after. We had hundreds of family and friends visit, which was much appreciated - thanks to them all. The day of her funeral was the worst day we had seen all year in terms of weather. The funeral took place during the eye of a winter storm. She definitely went out with a bang! Her loss is affecting me more now than ever. As I attempt to pick my life up I come accross everyday things and think of her and can't help but to cry. Apparently this is part of the greiving process I'm told. Dad is at home with me living life in a wheel chair and hates it. I'm here for him the way I was for mom. It hurts my heart to see him in pain. I do hope he can walk again and live a half decent quality of life. He is very optimistic, which is awesome. I believe together we'll get through this. I hope we can start going to the gym together some day soon.

So, now about me...as you can imagine the stress of caring for a dying parent kinda does one in. Unfortunately I have gained about 25lbs over the course of 2 months. I actually still went to the gym every night to let off steam, however, the area that totally f'd up was my eating habits and what I was eating - quality and quantity. I'm an emotional eater, so you can imagine my chomping as I watched mom hang on to life. I just wonder how much weight I would have gained back if I hadn't gone to the gym or followed other lifestyle changes I had worked so hard on. I'm on the mend now though - over the past 4 days I have lost 9lbs. I'm back at the gym and back at eating healthy. I can't believe that I was having bottomless cups of coffee and donuts - what the hell was I thinking? Friends, you can see how easily it is to gain back a few pounds without one even noticing. The important thing though is to catch it on time. I know that by the end of this month I will be where I was at a few months ago and all will be fine. I know how to lose the weight and trust me, it's going to come off. I have started my personalized program which I have written about in my book and the results are insane. I'll keep you all posted. I hope some of you haven't broken your new year's resolution yet!! Drop me an email and I can give you tips and tell you what's working for me.

I'm still writing the book. In fact I finished a few chapters with my mom by my side. She always became suspicious when she'd see me type away. She would always ask me what I was writing about. I would explain it to her and she'd chuckle. She told me flat out that what I was doing is going to change lives. She was proud of me for doing what I was/am doing. My dear mother was acknowledging my mission and actually believed in me. This had been one of my ongoing struggles with her throughout my life. Her belief in me has further motivated me to get this book out there and change lives forever. I promised her that partial proceeds of the book will be donated to charity. Iasked her to choose the charity and she responded with the Diabetes Association. Over the next few weeks I will be talking to them here in Toronto to see how I can make this dream become a reality and help them find a cure for this dreaded disease, or at least help prevent it. Watching my mother suffer with diabetes for 34 years has been excruciatingly difficult, let alone watching her die of complications from it. I promised my mother I'd help find a cure!

I'm not going to get detailed with what I'm eating or doing at this point, however, I will be adding entries over the next month to let you know my progress.  I encourage you all to share your journey with me. My advice for now is, drink lots of water!

Folks, I wish you all a happy new year and hope that your health flourishes!

Cheers and lots of hugs.
Charles

Canadian Thanksgiving

Hey Folks...I'm alive. which is good. Been a pretty stressful few months on the home front. Work has been busy. My health has been super though. I've been hitting the gym every day, as usual. I've somewhat plateaued, however, i'm happy where I'm at. I'm looking to focus more on building a tight core. I've been writing away and have been pitching to different publishers - talk about stress - lol. Anyhow, exciting things will be happening and I'll be happy to share them with you as they happen.

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving, which means TURKEY and PUMPKIN PIE. I have to admit, I have a weak spot for pumpkin pie. I will devour a tasting this afternoon, after my multicultural thanksgiving dinner which will comprise of ravioli and turkey with stuffing. We're having a low key family dinner.

I'm going to be taking some time off in the very near future to detox from the stress and focus on finishing the book. I'm thinking LA or some where hotter than here - which is any where!

Now that the christmas season is fast approaching, folks are making their new year's resolutions. The number one resolution of course, as you know, is to lose weight and it's amazing the amount of emails I get from from folks asking me what the secrets are. My response - just do it. In fact, start now so that by January you'll be well on your way and failure to succeed won't even be an issue.

I'm off to the gym now...I will be inserting more journals soon.. promise. Drop me a line and lets chat!

Cheers
C.

August 22, 2008

Folks...I can't believe the summer is almost over. What a wet one we've had up in Toronto. I'm currently sitting in the lobby of the Sheraton in Arlington Virginia. At a conference for work. Just had a buffet lunch, which is not my usual fair, however, it hit the spot. Long gone are the days of buffet overdose. Totally different pespective on things now, I just can't believe how I use to think around buffets.

I've had a good summer. Been extremely busy with work and writing my book. I've taken a new angle on my writing. I can't wait for it to come out so I can share it with you all. Life at home has been eventful to say the least. I'm coping with whatever comes my way. I have no other choice but to face the music head on. Albeit being difficult at times, I'm pretty strong and I'm not going to let anything get me down.

I've been hittng the gym regualrly and enjoying the outdoors, whenever the sun peeks out. I'm still at the same weight, although I've been struggling to shed the last 10 pounds now for the past 6 months. I suppose my body is happy with where I am at the moment. I've been keeping up with my vitamins and have been having more protein lately. Still eating my lean cuts of meat and lots of veggies. Drinking galloons of water a day...lol.

I want to write a more detailed entry, but I'm being called to go into a seminar room. Please email me if you'd like to talk. Email me to let me know how you're doing.

Take care my friend.

Charles

May 29, 2008

May is almost over! Where has the time gone? I've been absorded in my writing headspace these past few weeks. I have my proposal complete and edited. My agent is busy working for me. Stay tuned.

I've been keeping with going to the gym and eating healthy, as you all well know. It's been extremely busy at work and we have moved our offices - so I've been getting alot of activity in at work. I've been enjoying early morning jogs out in Brooklin, now that the nice weather is here, mind you - yesterday was a bit chilly.

I've noticed the use of the gym has gone down tremendously this past week. I suppose it has to do in large part  to the nice weather. For some reason though I feel more satisifed when I go to the gym, rather than outdoor stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love both outdoor and gym stuff, but I guess it's cuz when I'm working out at the gym, there are others there and that I'm in my zone, as well the machines tell me exactly how many calories I'm burning etc. I suppose I can grab a device for that and throw it around my arm. I had this conversation with a couple of guys at the gym last night and they were saying that coming to the gym "motivates" them...it also gives them "space" and time away from the family.

I've been eating quite well lately and drinking crazy amounts of water. I've tried cutting back on my coffee intake, as I was starting to feel groggy come lunch time.

Vitamins and supplements - fish oils and green tea extract and my multivitamin. I've been eating my protein lately and not resorting to the protein shakes. I've gone through tonnes of tuna and turkey breast.

I'm going to keep this entry short as I have a meeting in 10 mins..I want to put a call out there to anyone who wants to join me in walking, now that the nice weather is here. Let me know. Also, if any of you are interested in taking a Boot Camp type program and lose weight, I know of a reputable program offered in Toronto, let me know too. I'm thinking of joining it.

Take care my friends
Charles

April 21, 2008

Hey folks...sorry it's been a while since my last entry. I've been extremely busy. I actually do keep hand written journals, so I have been "documenting"...just haven't logged in here for a while. I've been focusing on my writing (for my book) these past few weeks. I'm very pleased with the way it's coming along. You folks are going to love it I'm sure...well, I hope you do! This week I need to decide who my collaborators will be. I'm meeting with my potential editor and my Literary Agent this week to nail down dates and process etc. This is quite exciting and a whole new world for me. Mind you, it's been very emotionally draining rereading and writing chapters with past "dark days" journals. At times I've just had to stop due to being overwhelmed with emotion. It's finally clicked in me how far I've actually come and how my thoughts are so different. Amazing I must say. I'm grateful I've kept journals. If you don't already write journals, I reccommend you do so - they catch your emotions and thoughts..things you can use to help you get to your goals. I often sift through my journals when I am having a horrible day and want to relive a good day. This really does work, trust me.

I had a very bad fall at the gym Thursday night. The stairmaster attacked me and knocked me to the floor - embarrassing I must say. I totally screwed up my knee. The pain has subsided, but when I use any cardio equipment it starts over again - it's liveable though. If it persists I will see my doctor tomorow. I'm just worried he's going to tell me I can't go to the gym...imagine that??? Jody will probably tell me to rest as well. If that's what it takes to get it back, I'm sure I can live without going I suppose.

The weather is beautiful!!! Last week we had snowbanks...this week I was wearing shorts! Yes, SHORTS! I felt like I was in LA today. Did some spring wardrobe cleaning today. I'm afraid I'm going to have to spend more money now on summer clothing. I've dropped a couple of sizes since last summer and  shorts and shirts are quite loose...I was a large and I don't know if Medium will fit...guess I'll find out when I go shopping. It's amazing what the weight trainng has done to my body.

I got a hair cut today - not pleased at all...I went to one of those large chain places and I'd swear the woman finished my hair in 3 minutes...talk about a rush job! I literally hadn't had time to finish my welcome sentence...lol. Probably going to go to my regular old man barber tomorrow at lunch to get a touch up. He laughs when I resort to going to him for that...damn guy charges me full price too! I'm seriously contemplating shaving my head again, but I don't know if I can live with myself..will bring back alot of old memories...mmmm...how about I dye it? Nah...not me...well one thing I will be doing in the coming weeks as the weather gets wamer is get rid of my goatee...feels weird in the hot weather and I'm prone to acne as well, so off it'll come...I'll look 15 again!

Food wise I've been on target lately...been eating lotta salads and protein...have finally figured out how to make whole wheat pasta and not make it stick! My dad taught me to wash the pasta in cold water after it's boiled...cuz the sauce is hot, it doesn't matter if the pasta is washed with cold water...nice tip he gave me. He was making bread this afternoon...amazing how it comes out..I've converted him into a whole wheat kinda guy...he makes his italian bread in "whole wheat"...sweet man. He suprises me immensely how positive he is and how much energy he can find in himself...the poor man has been living in stage 4 of prostate cancer for the past year. My heart goes out to him. He's a perfct example of a person who loves life and lives every day as full as possible. I am soooo going to miss him when he is gone..HOWEVER, we're living in the present day so there is no need to think about what tomorrow brings...with him and my mother we live in the NOW. I just wish his energy and positive attitude would rub into my mother. She's another story.

I took out my bike this morning...my new bike. Had to blow up the tires and give it  a once over before riding it...it took me a whole 2 minutes - lol! I took it to Heber Downs ( a huge conservation area around the corner from me)...it was awesome!!! I bonded with nature and mud.

Gym wise...I've been going religiously...well..it's actually part of my life now...been focusing alot on cardio and ball training...tightenng up my core...feels great not having to suck in my stomach when wearing t-shirts.

Vitamin/Supplement wise - great as usual...haven't been taking my fish oils for the past week as i have run out and need to do a health food store run tomorrow...I've been downing water like there is no tomorrow- helps clear my skin.

Alright...gotta go to bed...long day a head of me. This week i'm doing AM work outs...now that the days are longer i like to get the workout out of the way and enjoy my evenings (going bike riding or rollerblading)...well, actually in over the next 3 months I'll be writing like a madman and editing.

Ok folks...gotta go...take care!

C.

Oh..if you want to join me for a sunday walk out here in whitby - holler!! Laurie and I went this morning and it was great! Couldn't walk too fast due to the knee - but Laurie, I promise, next week we'll up it a notch!

March 30, 2008

The sun is finally shining and I'm starting to hear the birds! Went for a nice walk this evening and am starting to realize living out here in the "country" is pretty good - sorta. I do miss my late night Toronto walks, talking to the homeless and avoiding eye contact with the hookers though. It was a tad windy up here, but tolerable. I walked my neighborhood for about an hour and a half. I noticed other folks walking out there which is awesome. And ya know, people up here in Brooklin say hi! Imagine that.

Had a very busy week at work. Went to the gym every day except yesterday (Saturday). Been doing my low carb thing this week again and have broken out in zits as usual. My neck is totally zitted. I went to go shave yesterday and OUCH!! so, as my neice nicely put it - "looks like I have hickies all over my neck". Anyhow, I think I'll go for a tan tomorrow and zap these little criters.

I'm prepping for the stair climb which happens in 3 weeks. I worked out with Laurie this morning - good job Laurie!! I'm determined to make the climb in 19 minutes. I'm doing some promo thing for the WWf next Moday which I will tell you all about. I'm putting pressure on myself once again...but ya know, I love the challenge and it's what invigorates me.

Vitamin wise - normal...water in take - awesome! Up to 12 bottles a day. I've been skipping rope at the gym lately - OMG!! If you want a good workout, pickup a rope at Walmart for $5 and use it for 30 minutes. Total body workout. It's funny how my forearms hurt more than anything else. One would think your legs would hurt..I love it..I sweat lke crazy. Then after my rope I do the stairmaster for 45 minutes..totally getting ready for the 19th!

Ok..keeping this short tonight as I'm tired as could be..did alot of writing this week. Can't wait for you all to read my book when i finally get it out there.

Take care my friends..and get out there for a walk!! email me if you are in Toronto or Durham...we can plan a walk.

Cheers
C.

March 25

Happy Belated Easter All! I survived another holiday - lol. I just had a quarter of an easter bunny..that's it!! Didn't crave for more, which is unlike me because I'm a big chocolate lover. We had anice carb heavy dinner accompanied by some light dessert! Actually, I'm a pretty selective eater and naturally ate well. I'm at the point where it really isn't a big issue anymore. Ican have all the food in the world in front of me. Ijust eatwhat I can and everything in moderation.

I've been drinking unfiltered fresh apple juice lately - wow - works wonders for the liver. I picked up a liver detox recipe off line and it said to drink pure fresh squeezed apple juice, along side some other cocktail taht involves too much work. Can you believe I can taste my food better? Really weird.

Been going to the gym regularly and meeting Jody, but with the holidays we have'nt been meeting as much as usual. We're going to pick up the pace this week. I'm focusing alot of my energy on cardio on the eliptical and treadmill...really ned to flatten this tummy that has developed as a result of all my mid-section work outs. the weird thing is that I'velost yet another inch from my waist, but my tummy feels bigger - I think it's in my mind...I have alot of breathing room in my jeans, precisely where I need it!

Something really weird happened to me this morning. I said earlier that the Easter season hasn't really bothered me and that I survived it, right? this morning I filled up my tank with gas and on my way out of the parking lot I decided to go to Tim Hortins to get a coffee...there is a timmy's on every frickn corner out here! go figure, when I use to live and breath timmys there were only  locations out here! anyhow, I ordered my coffee (black) and suddenly this voice over came me and ordered 20 sour cream timbits. Ifelt like I ws being possessed by the devil, or in this case it was probably the Easter Bunny punishing me for not contributing to the traditions! There I was, with coffee and timbits in had. I kicked myself for doing something so stupid! So, I drove an hour with an unopened boxof timbits next to me..got to Toronto and gave them to the kind homeless man who held the door of the pearking lot for me. I can't believe I actually ordered timbits..not that they are bad or anything...but it's just somehting I USE to do and it creeped back in. the good thing was that I was able to resist temptation...mmm.I fell like Adam and Eve now!

I've been taking my supplements as usual..The Siberian ginseng is really helping me with my stress. The green tea pills are working as well. I haven't been taking many fish oils lately as I have run out. Protein - I'm getting enough of that in the form of tuna.

And of course...LOTS and LOTS of water!

I had a hot rock massage last week - OMG!!! Ithurt at first, but then was very relaxing. Mind you folks, I'm bruised as hell today, but I feel great...I've also broken out in zits yet again!

OK - busy day ahead of me tomorrow..meeting with a book guy - wish me luck!

Take care

C.

Here's me last night.

March 17, 2008

Hey All...nice weather today, finally - not as cold out and the sun is shining. This week marks the first day of spring. Ya know what that means? Get your running shoes out and tie'm up! I've been having a good streak lately with my weight loss and muscle building. I have managed to lose 3 lbs. last week and I'm starting to notice that I'm toning up quite nicely. I suppose my sit ups/weight/ball exercise is working. I've been extrmemly busy setting up timelines for my book. I've given myself 6 weeks to wrap it up and "test" all of the strategies, recipes and exercises. Trust me folks, you are going to love it! I'm hoping to get it out there by the end of summer. I'm in the process of conducting interviews and gathering inspirational quotes. I also have a few proposals out there to some big named folks. I will talk more about it as I get closer to my delivery date.

I'm thining about doing the WWF CN Tower Stair Climb next month. If you're in Toronto and are interested in joining me, let me know. It is the second weekend of April. This is another thing to work towards and get in shape. the stair climb isn't really that difficult, trust me.

This coming weekend is Easter. I'm a chocaholic! I can live on chocolate...but I choose not to. the past 4 Easters have been good. I don't depribe myself of what I like, I just don't have 10 binnues, just half an ear! We're planning a family dinner on Sunday and have the usual fair.

Alrighty...going to keep this short, as I have a crap load of things to do in the office today.

Take care
Chuckie

March 10, 2008

Howdy All!

Sorry I have not communicated lately. It's been a zoo in my life. I've been in bed for the past week and ahlf nursing a really bad flu. I'm finally up and yes, I will be heading to the gym tonight! I haven't been in a week and feel like shit, but I'm not off the wagon by any means. Weight wise, I've been doing well. I'm still training with Jody and feel good about that. We shot some promo shots last week for a few articels that I will be writing. And besides, I think it was time I took a picture with my trainer extraordinaire.

Since Phil's show aired last month I've been getting endless accolades. I'd like to thank you all for your kind words. This is only the beginning of some pretty cool things to come. I'm working full force on my book and will have some exciting news to report shortly.

I've been keeping up on my water intake. I've started drinking a tad more press pressed apple juice. I feel it does me wonders.

I'm still taking my multivitamin, green tea extract, fish oils and protein daily. I've actually been having a tad more tuna and not taking as much of the powder protein.

Exercise wise - excellent,with the exception of this past week. I've been doing ab work like no tomorrow, which is starting to payoff, however, I'm still kinda concerned about my "pertruding" belly...though many do not notice. Apparently my ab muscles are pushing out the extra left over fat - yep, I'll buy that. The solution is to up my cadio, which is precisely what I'm doing. I've also started taking Siberian Ginseng for stress. Stress isn't good for fat, so I figured if I take something to combat it, it may help. So far it's only been a week and I haven't seen much of a difference, though my belly is a tad smaller and tighter (that may have to to with the fact I was sick as well!).

Work has been very busy for me lately, which is good, but I do make time for the gym - that's my top priority.  the weather has been crappy up here in the north lately. We've been getting bombarded with snow - oh how I miss LA!!!!

Alright, enough from me for now...would love to hear from some of you too. Write me, will ya?? Stay tuned for some more updates to my success stories. I have met a wonderful lady who's story I will be sharing with you all on my home page. Oh, if you're on Facebook, drop me a line!

Take care and keep on moving!

Charles

This is a pic of me and Jody!